Land of Wind.
Frontline battlefield.
Due to Sunagakure's decision to launch a full-scale attack, almost all of the village's ninjas were deployed to the frontline, leaving only a small number of ninjas and younger generations behind to guard the village.
There were reasons behind this decision. On one hand, the Land of Wind is located in a desert, where resources are scarce, and ninjas who are not accustomed to the terrain suffer greatly in such an environment.
On the other hand, geographically speaking, the only country that could potentially launch a surprise attack on the heart of the Land of Wind was the Land of Earth's Iwagakure. However, if Iwagakure were to expend large forces attempting such an attack, the Kumogakure, which was eyeing Iwagakure, would certainly take advantage of the situation.
These factors allowed them to pursue a full-scale offensive.
In the camp.
Inside the central tent.
"Lord Kazekage, here is today's battle damage report... We've lost 21 ninjas, 43 are severely injured, and 109 have light injuries..."
A Sunagakure Jōnin handed a compiled report to the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
Rasa took the report, glanced at it, then set it down on the table. In a deep voice, he said, "No changes to the battle plan. We proceed as scheduled tomorrow."
"Understood."
The Jōnin acknowledged and left the tent.
Inside the tent, besides Rasa, were the Chief Strategist, Chiyo, and several of the highest-ranking members of Sunagakure.
"Actually, before the attack on Yakura's side began, it would have been best to remain still to minimize casualties. But doing so might raise suspicion in Konoha..."
Chiyo spoke as she looked at a map on the table.
Rasa nodded. "That's right. To avoid arousing suspicion in Konoha, we had to continue operations despite some casualties. Once Yakura's operation succeeds, we will turn the tide of this war!"
Chiyo's eyes grew distant as she gazed at Rasa. "I hope it goes that smoothly."
Rasa noticed the unusual glint in Chiyo's eyes but did not respond. Instead, he turned to her. "It's getting late. Elder Chiyo, you should rest. It would be best if you led tomorrow's attack."
"..."
Chiyo did not speak further and walked out of the tent.
Rasa watched her back, his eyes flashing with a barely noticeable glint.
Among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Rasa was considered one of the weakest Kage. If the Third Kazekage had not met his unfortunate end, Rasa would never have become the Fourth Kazekage.
But despite being thrust into the position, with far weaker control over the village and fewer loyal subordinates than the Third Kazekage, he had managed to secure his position.
He relied on one thing: his methods.
Initiating a full-scale war with Konoha and sparking the Third Great Ninja War was one of his strategies.
The so-called revenge for the Third Kazekage and the demand for Konoha to give an explanation was all a lie. Even raiding Konoha for resources was a secondary goal.
His primary goal was to solidify his position as Kazekage through war!
using this conflict to weaken his adversaries, other high-ranking families, and build a loyal elite force under his command, that was his true objective. So he didn't care about casualties. He didn't even care about the war's outcome.
Kaede's evaluation of Rasa was that he was a figure like Danzo, someone who was short-sighted, with a much weaker grasp of the big picture. After all, Danzo had at least aimed for unification of the ninja world.
What had Rasa done?
He recklessly launched a full-scale war against Konoha, depleting his own village's forces to increase his own power and status, all to maintain his position as Kazekage.
After Yakura achieved outstanding results in battle and became a hero, threatening his own position, Rasa immediately colluded with Kirigakure to have Yakura killed.
Next, he kicked out the esteemed Chiyo and Chiyo's loyal supporter, Chiyo, from the decision-making layer, forcing them into retirement.
Then, during the Chūnin Exams, he allowed Orochimaru to eliminate them.
Looking at the history, Rasa had never done anything beneficial for Sunagakure. Everything he did was for his own power and position.
In a sense, Rasa's methods were indeed impressive, manipulating his way into power and then consolidating his hold over Sunagakure. But Kaede despised such power plays.
The reason was simple: he was like a frog in a well.
The world wasn't one of political schemes, it was a world of power. In front of the likes of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, such power tactics were laughable.
Chiyo understood Rasa's goals, but they couldn't stop him. He had the advantage of circumstances, using an open plot and the disappearance of the Third Kazekage as a justification for war with Konoha. There was no room to argue, and because of the deep animosity between Sunagakure and Konoha, the entire village supported his actions.
"Chiyo, you should rest too."
Rasa turned his attention to Chiyo, who had been observing the map.
Chiyo ran her fingers over the map, sighed, and lifted her head, her face showing some worry. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep. I have an unsettling feeling."
"Unsettling feeling?"
Rasa was curious but then shook his head. "It's probably just because you're tired. You should go get some rest. We'll need your leadership for the next phase of the battle."
"Maybe..."
Chiyo sighed, stood up, and prepared to leave.
At that moment, a figure rushed into the tent, kneeling in front of Rasa, their voice urgent. "Report, Lord Kazekage! We've lost contact with the ambush unit!"
The peaceful atmosphere of the tent shifted abruptly.
Chiyo's heart skipped a beat, and she exchanged a glance with Rasa.
Rasa's expression darkened slightly, though much of it was feigned. While the ambush unit was not directly under his command, hearing such news was not something he could ignore.
"When did you lose contact?"
"At noon today," the ninja reported in a hurry. "As per the original plan, the ambush unit was supposed to contact us at noon, but we haven't heard from them. By the afternoon, the communication unit tried to reach them, but still no response. We just received word from our summoning beast... The communication ninja over there is dead!"
Chiyo's expression soured.
The ominous premonition had come true.
The communication ninja played a crucial role in the ambush unit, positioned safely in the center of the team. Their death meant something was seriously wrong with the ambush unit!
"..."
Rasa's face also darkened, but most of it was an act.
The ambush plan was Chiyo's decision. If something went wrong, she would bear the bulk of the blame, and her position would be greatly weakened. To Rasa, this was an advantage.
"Lord Kazekage, Elder Chiyo, what should we do now?" The ninja anxiously asked.
Chiyo took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice. "Stay calm. The ambush unit has Yakura. No matter what happens, they can handle it. They are probably just separated and lost contact. Send out the scout units to investigate and re-establish contact with them."
"Do as she says," Rasa nodded, his tone firm.
The communication ninja responded and quickly left the tent to relay the orders.
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